Which place is cheaper, Montreal or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Riga or Montreal?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Montreal? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Riga or Montreal?
Riga
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
Montreal
While Quebec City is the political capital of Quebec Province, Montreal is the economic and cultural capital. It's also the second largest city in Canada, with a population of about 1.9 million and 4 million in the metropolitan area. It's the second largest French speaking city in the world behind Paris.
Montreal is a very trendy and vibrant city with an active nightlife and countless activities to enjoy. It's located on an island in the St. Lawrence River and has a humid continental climate. There are four distinct seasons. Summers are warm or hot and humid. Spring and fall are mild and winters are cold and snowy. You can expect about 2 meters of snow every year, but there are also more than 2,000 hours of sunshine annually.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €104Montreal €195
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Montreal is €195. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Riga and Montreal in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Montreal €123
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Montreal €246
Compare Hotels in Riga and Montreal
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Montreal? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Riga Hotel Prices and Montreal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €15Montreal €19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Riga - Tallin: Transfer and Tour through beautiful landmarks: $490
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $462
- From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $429
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn: $344
- Transfer from Riga International Airport to Downtown: $269
- From Transfer to Tallinn with Turaida Museum Reserve: $231
- From Vilnius: One-Way Private Transfer to Riga: $183
- From Cesis and Sigulda Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $151
- Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $139
- Riga Gun Experience: Roundtrip Transfer and 4 Firearms: $132
- Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $108
- Private transfer Riga - Hill of Crosses - Riga: $104
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montreal
Also for Montreal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Montreal Cruise Port to Montreal City: $36
- Private Transfer: Montreal City Center to Pierre E.T. Airport-YUL: $48
- Le Terminal Cruise Port to Québec Airport YQB Departure Transfer: $57
- Private One-way Montreal Airport Transfer To/From Montreal: $58
- Arrival Transfer from International Airport: $65
- Transfer in private vehicle from Montreal CityCenter- to Montreal Airport (YUL): $67
- Downtown Direct: Montreal's Exclusive Airport Transfer: $79
- Montreal Best Private Transfer services : $82
- Private Transfer: Montreal to Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport (YUL): $87
- Private Departure Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL: $116
- Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Business Car: $117
- Departure Private Transfer: Montreal to Montreal Airport YUL in Business Car: $117
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Montreal?
Prices for flights to both Montreal and Riga change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayRiga €33Montreal €34
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
-
Fast Food Lunch€5.77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $42
- Unique Food Tour: $52
- Medieval Guided Tour & Three-Course Dinner Experience: $97
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $114
- Private Cooking Master Class In The Latvian Family : $131
- Taste Market Tour & Cooking Masterclass: $139
- Cooking Experience with Chef: Learn & Dine: $140
- Latvian Food: Cooking Masterclass with a Chef: $153
Typical Food Prices in Montreal
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Montreal:
-
Tim Hortons breakfast and coffee€8.39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montreal
For Montreal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Le Bateau-Mouche À La Carte Menu Dinner Cruise: $59
- No Diet Club: Walking food Tour with many tastings: $59
- Beyond the Market Food Tour by Spade & Palacio: $74
- Montreal Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $74
- Old Montreal Food & Drink Tour by Local Montreal Food Tours: $103
- Cooking Class and Tasting Menu with Michelin Chef: $130
- Montréal: 5-Course Dinner Cruise with Music & VIP Option: $160
- Personalized Private Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $207
- Cooking Class in Montreal with a Michelin-Star Trained Chef: $224
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €21Montreal €20
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- The best of Bauska walking tour: $75
- 1 Day Riga Sightseeing Red Bus Grand Tour: $27
- 2 Day Gastronomy Tour In Latgale : $241
- 2.5-Hour Riga Cruiser Bike Tour: $41
- 5 Hour Shared Tour to Hill of Crosses from Riga: $82
- ATV Quad Off Road or City Tour in Riga: $142
- Art Nouveau Walking Tour in Riga: $65
- Baltic Treasures Tour: Hill of Crosses, Rundale & Bauska: $153
- Beer Bike Experience : $36
- Best of Riga Walking Tour: $182
- Best of Riga Walking Tour - Highlights and Hidden Gems: $66
- City:canal:tour: $22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montreal
For Montreal, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Botanical Gardens (family of 4)€50
Tours and Activities in Montreal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montreal.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Montreal self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.31
- Montréal's Mile End to Outremont: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $7.54
- Escape Game and Tour: $8.61
- APP Self-Guided Tours Montreal with Audioguide: $8.74
- Montreal Art Center & Museum Audio Guided Tour: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- McCord Stewart Museum : Entry Ticket: $15
- Montreal Zipline Adventure: $15
- Self-Guided Old Town Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $15
- Montreal Old Port: Urban Zipline Ticket: $16
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Montreal €15
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $25
- Pub Crawl in Riga: $33
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $37
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $38
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $54
- Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl: $55
- Latvian Wine Tasting & Monk Show: $75
- Old Town Sightseeing & Latvian Wine Tasting with Show: $97
- Riga Wine Tasting Session: $103
- Riga Pub Crawl & Party Bus Tour: $526
- Yacht Tour with Medieval Banquet and Wine Tasting: $3,341
Typical Alcohol Prices in Montreal
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Montreal:
-
Vodka€17
Sample the Local Flavors in Montreal
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montreal:
- Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl: $22
- Guided Bar Crawl with Free Shots and Club Entry: $42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Montreal, we can see that Montreal is more expensive. And not only is Riga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Riga is in Europe and Montreal is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Riga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Riga and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Montreal would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montreal than you might in Riga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Montreal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Montreal?
Montreal has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Riga. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Montreal, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Riga or Montreal?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Riga or Montreal in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Riga as well as Montreal. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Riga this time of year.
In the summer, Riga is cooler than Montreal. Typically, the summer temperatures in Riga in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Montreal averages at about 21°C (69°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in July than Montreal. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Montreal 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Riga or Montreal in the Autumn?
Both Montreal and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Riga for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Riga is generally cooler than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Montreal fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In October, Riga usually receives less rain than Montreal. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Montreal 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Riga or Montreal in the Winter?
Both Montreal and Riga during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Riga in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Montreal can be very cold during winter. Riga can get quite cold in the winter. Riga is much warmer than Montreal in the winter. The daily temperature in Riga averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Montreal fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in January than Montreal. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Montreal -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Riga or Montreal in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Montreal. Most visitors come to Riga for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Riga is around the same temperature as Montreal. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Montreal averages at about 6°C (43°F).
In April, Riga usually receives less rain than Montreal. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Montreal 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Montreal and Riga
| Riga | Montreal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.